Crystal Lake woman charged again with mistreating horses

McHenry County officials say neglect uncovered while caretaker was on probation

May 03, 2013|By Heywood Hoffman, Chicago Tribune reporter

For the second time in less than three years, a Crystal Lake woman has been arrested and charged with cruel treatment of horses in her care, officials said Thursday.

Jamie Koy, 39, of the 6100 block of East Hillside Road, already was on probation for a 2011 misdemeanor conviction for mistreating horses. As part of Koy's probation, officials this week checked on the condition of eight horses in her care, according to the McHenry County Sheriff's Office and the county's animal control office.

Four of the horses were in "starvation mode" and needed critical care, said Debra Quackenbush, animal control spokeswoman. The four other horses required help but weren't in as poor of shape, she said.

"These animals shouldn't have to suffer," Quackenbush said. "Hopefully, they'll be able to be saved."

The four horses considered critically neglected were rushed to a University of Wisconsin veterinary facility, while the other horses were being treated at local facilities, she said.

It was heartbreaking to see how the animals gulped down food and water, showing how desperately they needed nourishment, Quackenbush said.

Koy was arrested Wednesday after the inspection, and she faces four felony counts of cruel treatment of animals, the Sheriff's Office said.

She appeared in bond court, where her bail was set at $10,000 and her next court date was scheduled for May 15.

Koy was arrested in August 2010 and charged with neglecting five horses in her care, including two that had to be put down, and was convicted on various misdemeanors after a 2011 trial. During the trial, Koy testified that her horses were not mistreated but were malnourished and underweight because of other health problems.

As part of her sentencing, she was put on probation and was allowed to continue to own horses while subject to periodic inspection by animal control staff.

Inspectors in December found that her animals were in fair condition, but this week's survey discovered the abuse, Quackenbush said.

The county can provide advice and help for anyone having a problem caring for an animal, and members of the public can call animal control at 815-459-6222 if they see any animal in trouble, she said.